Apparatus for applying and removing valve fittings in gas cylinders



May 1, 1945.

W. H. LOVEMAN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING AND REMOVING VALVE FITTINGS IN GAS CYLINDERS Filed March 8, 1944 I Fig 1 l l l OI I] I 7 2 Sheets-Sheet l uvmv LLIAM H. LOVEMAN:

May 1, 1945.

W. H. LOVEMAN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING AND REMOVING VALVE FITTINGS IN GAS CYLINDERS Filed March 8, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WILLIAM H.LOVEMAN.

' Patented May 1, 1945 APPARATUS FOR APPLYING AND REMOV- ING VALVE FITTINGS IN GAS CYLINDERS William H. Loveman, Shaker Heights, Ohio Application March 8, 1944, Serial No. 525,552

' 3 Claims. (Cl. ,29 240) This invention relates to a machine for applying and removing valve fittings in gas cylind'ers and similar containers. Gas such as oxygen, hydrogen, acetylene and the like are stored in heavy metal containers called cylinders under considerable pressure, sometimes as much as 3000-4000 pounds per square inch. These containers usually have in one endthereof a fitting which includes a valve and dispensing outlet through which the gas is delivered and discharged. This fitting or valve is threadedly secured into the metal cylinder. Considerable force is required to secure these valves in place, and if manually done requires a wrench from three to five feet in length and the full strength of two men. I have designed a power-operated machine for this purpose which eliminates the human factor and applies the same force to each fitting.

'One of the objects of this'invention is to provide a power-driven tool for securing and removing valves or fittings in gas cylinders which includes an automatic clutch which is disconnected when the force applied exceeds a predetermined amount.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool of the character described'which is adjustable as to height as well as angularly sothat no precise alignment of the cylinder and tool is necessary. f

Further and more limited objects of the inven tion will appear as the description proceeds and by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation showing the preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 taken at right angles thereto with certain parts shown in sec tion;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3% of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal view, partly'in section, taken on the line 44 of Fig, 1;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the tool which engages the valves;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing the universal driving connection for the valve engaging member.

Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus consists essentially of a channel member I which is rigidly secured to the frame of a building by means of suitable bolts. Disposed at opposite sides of the channel members are a pair of vertically extending channel plates 2 and '3 which iii are preferably welded in place. Disposed between the channel plates 2 and 3 are two pairs of spaced horizontally extending plates 4 and .5 welded to the channel plates and spaced apart by members 4 Ahorizontal plate'G having asemi-circular recess 1 therein is welded to the channel plates and the upper plates 4 and 5 for receiving 2; cylindrical gas cylinder placed between the channel plates 2 and 3. Each of the channels 2 and 3 has a slot therein and mounted in said slots and between plates 4 and 5 are a pair of cams 8 and 9 secured. in place by pins i0 and l i. These cams are eccentrically mounted and the peripheral portionthereof is toothed or serrated. These.

cams are operated by handle members it and I3 ,which extend outwardly through the slots in the channel plates 2" and. 3. Secured adjacent the top of the channel member I is a channel shaped bar Hand mounted thereon is a motor M and a speed reducing mechanism indicated generally by the reference character l5. Leading downwardly from the speed reducer is a shaft I6 which is connected with a sleeve I! by means of a connector [8 which is connected with a standard frictional slip clutch iii. no part of the present invention and is known to the trade as a Conway disk slip clutch.

This clutch includes a plurality of pressure plates which are urged toward each other by springs Zil so as to eiiect a driving connection. The clutch is engaged and disengaged in a manner well'known to those skilled in the art and will begin to slip when excessive torque is encountered and .will continue to slip until manu ally disengaged by means of a handle 2|v which operates a lever 22 to move a pin-23 which opcrates a dog 24. Secured to the channel member is alpillow block 25 which has thereon a bearing 26. A hollow shaft 21 isjournaled in this hearing and is operatively connected with the sleeve 17. Non-rotatably secured on the sleeve 2'! is a coupling device including a pair of flanged couplings 28, which are adjustably mounted with respect to each other. This coupling device provides a universal driving connection for the valve engaging tool and permits vertical and angular movement thereof. Leading from the coupling device is a shaft 29to the lower end of which is secured the tool engaging member 30 which has an angular recess therein adapted'to engage different size valves or fittings.

When it is desired to insert a valve within the gas cylinder or container, the gas cylinder 3| is secured within the circular recess 1 in the plate 6 and the cams B and 9 moved to the position This clutch f orms.

switch button 33 is pushed which turns the tool in the opposite direction. Reference character '34 designates the stop switch which discontinues the operation of the motor. When the torque exerted on the tool exceeds a predetermined amount determined by the setting of the springs in the slip clutch, the clutch will slip and discontinue the rotation of the valve engaging member. It will be seen that the tool engaging member is adjustable both angularly and as to height so as not to require any precise adjustment or setting of the tool. The universal connection also makes it unnecessary to have any precise alignment of the tool and the fitting to be engaged.

It will now be clear that I have provided a machine for applying and removing valve fittings in gas tanks which comprises a support, aholder carried by the support and means for holding the gas tank against turning 'movement in either direction together with a valve engaging member which is adapted for rotation in either direction and which has a slip clutch for automatically discontinuing the rotation of the valve engaging member when the force applied exceeds a predetermined amount. The unit includes a motor operated means for turning the valve engaging member in either direction, the driving connection for the valve engaging member including a universal joint and means permitting both vertical and angular movement of the driving connection.

The specific clutch mechanism and the specific universal driving connection are standard equipment which may be purchased on the open mar-' ket and form no part of this invention.

It will now be clear that I have provided an apparatus for applying and removing valve fittings in gas cylinders which will accomplish the objects of the invention as hereinbefore stated.

It is to be understood that the embodiment of the 1. In an apparatus for inserting and removing valves from cylindrical gas tanks, a vertical frame member for supporting mechanism for rotating the valves threaded into the gas tanks; a pair of parallel arm members extending from said frame, said arm members being spaced apart for receiving a gas tank therebetween; two pairs of spaced, horizontally extending plate members, one pair being attached to each of said arm members adjacent the ends thereof, respectively; and clamping means interposed between said plate members for engaging a gas tank between said arms, said means each comprising a cam, a pivot pin extending through the cam and having its ends journalled in said spaced plate members, and a handle extending outwardly from said cam for rotation of the cam.

2. In an apparatus for inserting and removing valves from cylindrical gas tanks, a vertical frame member for supporting mechanism for rotating the valves threaded into the gas tanks; a pair of parallel arm members extending from said frame, said arm members being spaced apart for receiving a gas tank therebetween and each arm having spaced, horizontally extending plate members adjacent the outer ends extending toward the opposite arm; and clamping means interposed between said plate members for engaging a gas tank between said arms, said means each comprising a cam, a pivot pin extending through the cam and having its ends supported in said spaced plate members, and a handle member extending from said cam outwardly through an opening in the adjacent arm member.

3. In an apparatus for inserting and removing valves from cylindrical gas tanks, a vertical frame member for supporting mechanism for rotating the valves threaded into the gas tanks; a pair of parallel arm members extending from said frame, said arm members being spaced apart for. receiving a gas tank therebetween; two pairs of spaced, horizontally extending plate members, one pair being attached to each of said arm members adjacent the ends thereof, respectively; a horizontal plate extending intermediate said arm members, said plate having an arcuate recess in the outer edge thereof for receiving a gas tank placed be tween said arm members; and clamping means interposed between said plate members for engaging a gas tank between said arms, said means each comprising a cam, a pivot pin extending through the cam and having its ends journalled in said spaced plate members, and a handle ex- 

